real; reddie

t w o

"are you prepared?"

eddie is shifting in his seat uncomfortably. they're sitting at a stoplight in their shared car, a small venza, cute and grey, holding hands over the dash.

"not particularly," richie admits, and his eyes are focused on the car ahead of them. "i don't want to do this."

"you know i don't either, baby," the smaller boy brings their hands up to his mouth to kiss the back of it. "but at this point...it's the only way to keep us both safe and happy."

richie pouts. "i want to be safe and happy with you."

eddie rolls his eyes, but really his whole heart is warm, because he really does just love the boy beside him so much. "i know, angel. and soon enough. we only have a few months until we can tell people to fuck off."

"oh? just like that, i hope?"

"well, not in so many words."

richie offers a smile as the light turns green and he starts driving forward, towards the campus of eddie's school.

"don't worry so much," eddie says after another moment of silence, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "you know it's not going to change anything. we'll just have to sneak around a bit."

richie raises his eyebrows. "well, when you put it like that," the smaller boy laughs and whacks his chest. "it sounds much more exciting."

"just drive," eddie giggles, and it's a wonder that his heart still flutters like it does after so long.

richie laughs at the demand, and turns into the campus parking lot. instead of parking, he pulls up to the sidewalk to drop his boyfriend off. in front of them, standing near the entrance of the main building, they can see beverly, bill, stanley, and mike. they're immersed in some sort of intense conversation, and bev is giggling, and stan is sitting in bill's lap on the steps. mike shifts, pulling his bag further up his shoulder. eddie watches them hesitantly.

"you ready, baby?" richie asks, and the question that circulates is extremely repetitive, but somehow neither of them really are ready.

"i guess so," eddie mumbles, and before any of their friends see them, he gives his boyfriend one last kiss. "i'll see you at home?"

"mhm," rich hums, and then eddie is pushing the door open, catching the attention of their friends. "hey, don't walk away from me!"

eddie knows that it's an act knows that they have to sell their breakup to their friends, because if they can't convince those closest to them, they're not sure they could be believable enough to convince the whole town. but still, the words sting. he's not used to richie raising his voice.

"don't be so full of yourself," eddie snaps back, pulling his backpack further up his shoulder and stepping out of the car.

"me? full of myself? get a fucking grip!"

before rich can say anything else, eddie seals the false argument with a final, "fuck off," before slamming the car door.

once he turns and sees his friends, he's pleased to see them all watching the scene unfold. still, when he approaches, no one says anything in fear of setting him off, and he has to stop himself from watching his boyfriend drive off.